An empty vapor Mark Green Time, what an empty vapor ‘tis.” The poet could hardly have better expressed the swift passing of the years. I am now midway through my 53rd year of life, and it seems just yesterday that I was contemplating the fact that I was halfway through my threescore and ten. The days are speeding past. If we are going to accomplish anything in this life, we had better set our hand to the plow, for we are of few days, and they are full of trouble.
Since the very earliest days in which the church was known by the name Primitive Baptist, there have been periodicals which have stood for the principles held by those called by that name. Often, at the end of each volume or year, the editor of the paper would write an article which would look backward at the events of the past twelve months, noting God’s providence and goodness.
Similarly, he would often begin the new volume in January by expressing a desire for God’s continued blessings. This collection attempts to bring together some of the best of those year-end and New Year reflections by the editors of papers espousing the Primitive Baptist cause. It includes writings by some of our most capable and faithful men.
Anyone who knows anything about the publishing business knows that an editor always operated under the merciless tyranny of that inflexible master, the Deadline. The constraints of time were always on his mind. Thus, he was likely to be in a particularly contemplative mood as one year rolled into the next. The editor’s job was not an easy one. Because of the high visibility of any opinions he might express or positions he might take, he was always open to criticism by those who would take issue with him.
When there was an overabundance of material at hand, he was faced with the problem of whose writings to leave out of the upcoming issue. Sometimes there was the problem of getting enough good quality writings. Through all of this, however, our editors have forged ahead, striving to put out material of spiritual worth for the people of God.
Even the relatively brief time span covered here carries through two World Wars and a Depression. It is worth noting that often Primitive Baptists are separated from others of our faith by distance or infirmity, and our periodicals have filled a critically-important role in encouraging and edifying them. Some of the finest writing ever done by Primitive Baptists has been found in the editorial pages of the papers which are here quoted.
Time marches on. When this reaches you, 2006 will have begun, and I will have a few more gray hairs. Those of you who knew me in my youth will perhaps find it hard to believe that I am as old as I am, with five grandchildren – but is it not the same with you, and all of us? We have, at best, but a few more short days here on earth.
“Time’s cold and wintry blast” will soon be past for us, and we will bask in the lovelight of God’s eternal presence, where time will be no more. What a prospect!
As long as we must struggle along here in this earthly existence, it is a matter of great comfort to have the reflections of those who have gone before us, who often meditated upon these wonderful and perplexing matters of time and the frailty of human existence.
I can remember very clearly that in my early years I found it tiring to hear the ministers continually preaching about heaven. That just did not have much relevance to me as a child. Ah, but what a difference now! I suppose there is no sweeter gospel feast for me than to hear some old soldier of the cross telling of the sweet hope that lies within him, of the eager anticipation he has of some day walking the sunny banks of Sweet Deliverance and embracing his lovely Savior in his arms. That is a subject that can make our hearts soar above the trivial things of this life and take refuge in that eternal inheritance which cannot fade away.
That which follows in the next few issues is a sober reflection of the hopes and fears of Primitive Baptists during a historic period – one of the most trying in our nation’s history. They faced some difficult times, and so may we, as well. As we read these “annual reviews” of the state of Zion and of the world, it would be good for us to reflect and resolve that less of our time should run to waste.
Our salvation is now nearer than when we first believed, and whatever record we are going to leave for the coming generations. must soon be written. God bless us to fight a good fight, to hold the faith in righteousness, and to finish our course with joy!